26 October 2023, CANBERRA - The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Vanuatu held a turn-over ceremony in Port Vila, Vanuatu in the morning of 19 October 2023 for the US$ 50,000 contribution of the Philippines to Vanuatu’s national response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of two tropical cyclones, Judy (category 4) and Kevin (category 5) which devastated Vanuatu within a 48-hour period in March 2023.

First Secretary and Consul General Aian Caringal of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra, representing the Philippines during the ceremony, highlighted the long standing relations between the two countries since 1986 and their strong affinity to each other, both being archipelagic and disaster-vulnerable countries located in the Pacific and strong climate advocates. The Philippines and Vanuatu established diplomatic relations in October 1986.

Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Matai Seremaiah expressed appreciation to the Philippines on behalf of his government. Philippine Honorary Consul General in Port Vila Florentino Serrano, Philippine’s Migrant Workers Office-Canberra OIC Oscar David and Attache Remedios Alcazar were also present during the ceremonial turn-over.